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9 December 2016

Here's how it works: The Recent Releases chart brings together critical reaction to new albums from more than 50 sources worldwide. It's updated daily. Albums qualify with 5 reviews, and drop out after 6 weeks into the longer timespan charts.

10.0 |
Mojo

A reaction to instant fame in both content and sound, a reinvention so fully realised it could almost be the work of another band. Print edition only

8.511178

8.5 |
The Line Of Best Fit

I would encourage anyone interested in MGMT’s Congratulations to be patient. Like most great albums it’s hard to get on a first listen
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8.011274

8.0 |
Under The Radar

A fine record, which, while distantly removed stylistically from their first, doesn't lose grasp of their innate pop instincts, channeling them in a more elliptical, silvery manner. This new context may be initially off-putting, but ultimately the payoff's that much greater
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8.011715

8.0 |
Bowlegs

With Congratulations, MGMT proves they're more than just a one act show
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8.011117

8.0 |
The Scotsman

Hopefully one day it will be viewed as part of a rich back catalogue, although congratulations really will be in order if it comes to be seen as a classic. Which it just might
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8.011049

8.0 |
The Sunday Times

Commercially, who knows which way this one will go — but musically, it’s a triumph
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8.011097

8.0 |
Bowlegs

MGMT fans have a choice here. Get bored quickly or give something a little more onion-skinned a chance
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8.010570

8.0 |
FasterLouder

MGMT have shed their skin and grown up in front of our ears
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8.010398

8.0 |
Spin

Despite being haunted by the group's flip from rock-star charade to reality, Congratulations still brims with mischievous energy. And for a series of druggy Dada setpieces, it feels uncommonly, emotionally honest
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8.010521

8.0 |
Q

As a left-field response to the vertigo of sudden success, Congratulations has both integrity and charm. Print edition only

8.010618

8.0 |
Uncut

This is a wilful and lovably eccentric second album from a band who've had a sniff of being pop stars and decided they'd rather be weird and esoteric
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8.010797

8.0 |
The List

Congratulations may not be quite as instantly loveable as MGMT’s debut, but it’s still a brave and diverse album of impressive ambition
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8.010949

8.0 |
Eye Weekly

Congratulations is relentlessly inventive, totally catchy and mercifully free of irony. Career suicide has never sounded so pop
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8.010984

8.0 |
The Irish Times

There is a quiet, majestic beauty to this album if you give it the time. It’s surprising for all the right reasons
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7.010978

7.0 |
The Digital Fix

Catastrophic miscalculations apart, there’s no doubt that MGMT are heading in the right direction
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7.010783

7.0 |
The Fly

There’s definitely no ‘Kids’ here, no ‘Time To Pretend’ or ‘Electric Feel’. Instead, what we have is a labyrinth of unintentionally hilarious flute solos
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7.011120

7.0 |
Drowned In Sound

Old fans will have confirmation that this isn’t an end to hooks, melody or stand alone songs; ‘Kids’-haters will find a genuinely engrossing psyche pop outing, minimal in Club NME fodder, only intermittently clunky
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7.014623

7.0 |
God Is In The TV

Given a bit of patience, Congratulations might just be due some plaudits come the end of this year
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6.811066

6.8 |
Pitchfork

Whether they write club-friendly songs like "Kids" or tracks like "Congratulations" or "Flash Delirium" or "It's Working", they can write songs. Hopefully, next time they won't try to jam two dozen of them onto a nine-track album
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6.311099

6.3 |
Beats Per Minute

Perhaps hardcore fans will be pleased with the band’s unwavering defiance toward creating a record of indie-rock gems. The truth of the matter is that the band has fallen short, likely to leave even the most avid fans somewhat disappointed
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6.011115

6.0 |
Rolling Stone

With Congratulations, they attempt to not just keep it weird — which they've done — but to figure out how they can be in it for the long haul. It's a solid start
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6.011068

6.0 |
PopMatters

The album’s whirlpool psychedelia may seem a logical progression, but its decidedly retro tinge adds a striking counterpart
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6.011055

6.0 |
The Observer

The world-conquering Brooklyn duo have not abandoned pop, as some slyly nagging songs attest
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6.011001

6.0 |
The Guardian

While they may have lost some marbles, the Brooklyn duo haven't entirely forgotten how to write a killer tune
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6.011027

6.0 |
Evening Standard

As with The Flaming Lips' recent album, Embryonic, it adds up to commercial suicide, but it makes an interesting change from bands desperately clinging to a winning formula
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6.011125

6.0 |
Rave Magazine

In trying to differentiate themselves from Oracular Spectacular, I can’t help but think that MGMT forgot it was the songwriting, not the production, that made that album so memorable
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6.011118

6.0 |
Scotland on Sunday

Producer Pete Kember of Spaceman 3 has possibly nudged them over the edge of the experimental rock precipice, the centrepiece being 12 minutes and more of the epic Siberian Break
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6.010790

6.0 |
Sydney Morning Herald

Congratulations will likely be seen as a firm ''up yours'' by a lot of fans
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6.010597

6.0 |
music OMH

A brave, sometimes successful, but ultimately flawed attempt to evolve and grow the band's sound. The one crime is a distinct lack of any memorable tunes
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6.0 |
The Times

6.0 |
Daily Telegraph

Fans will find plenty to sustain them but Congratulations sounds like a deliberate attempt to shake off casual listeners and avoid the rock stardom their hits have granted them
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6.010941

6.0 |
NME

Print edition only

5.011094

5.0 |
Tiny Mix Tapes

Despite being every bit the sophomore slump MGMT damn near willed it to be, it leaves you just enough reason to stay interested in what they do nex
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4.011168

4.0 |
State

This version of the band – steeped in prog and psychedelics – is the sound of MGMT being true to themselves, even if the result on Congratulations is a meandering blissed-out journey with little to recommend after the last sustain has subsided
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4.011215

4.0 |
No Ripcord

They’ve struck a very awkward middle ground between easy, fun pop music and a more difficult psychedelic sound. It doesn’t ever hit either demographic right
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4.010599

4.0 |
The Quietus

Their unashamed pure pop brilliance has been sacrificed for little gain
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2.010995

2.0 |
The Independent

The back-handed compliment to "Brian Eno" merely prompts the observation that if he had been involved, this wouldn't have been quite as shambolic
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2.011056

2.0 |
Independent on Sunday

So, Ben and Andrew, congratulations indeed. You've made a record only a handful of people are going to enjoy. What do you want? A chocolate watch?
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